"The midsize sedan segment is one of the most competitive in the industry and by improving the Malibu so quickly, we're proving to our customers that we're listening and acting on their needs," said Chevrolet Global Chief Marketing Officer Tim Mahoney. "The new and enhanced features make the 2014 Malibu a smarter choice, putting it at the heart of the strongest Chevrolet passenger car lineup in our history."

Year-to-date, Malibu sales are down 13.3% through September, while Ford Fusion sales are up 17.1%. Honda Accord sales are up 14%, and Nissan Altima sales are up 7.1%. But maybe things are turning around for Malibu as sales were up 40.7% in September versus the same month a year earlier.

Chevy says its new Ecotec 2.5L four-cylinder engine is the first standard engine in the segment with stop/start technology. The system, which is being phased into dozens of new cars across the industry, conserves fuel by automatically shutting off the engine when the car comes to a stop, such as at stoplights. The engine automatically restarts when the driver takes his or her foot off the brake. In the Malibu's case, the system helps the sedan to an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 25-mpg city and 36-mpg highway – a 14-percent improvement in city mileage and 6 percent greater highway efficiency.

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i have a 13 Malibu and it's an outstanding car in spite of what critics have.to say. They( critics ) are mostly anti-USA auto's any way so you have to take that into consideration. I test drove competitors and can tell you with an unbiased opinion that the Malibu has no equal in its segment